Noah's Ark - Survivors Read Online Free PDF Page B

the engines!”
    Martin pulled a face.
    “Problem?” Hollen asked him.
    “Maybe. Probably. Not sure yet. It’s just, well we may not be able to start the engines yet anyway.”
    Hollen remained silent, waited for the engineer to explain further.
    “We had to cut the generator because the exhaust is blocked with ash in the funnel. There’s a good chance the exhaust for the main engines will be blocked in the same way. I found one of my guys when I was on my way up here, I’ve sent him to gather together a small crew and go and assess the damage, and start repairs if they can.”
    “Listen, personally I don’t care whether we stay here or move, I think we’re dead either way,” Max interjected. All eyes turned to the security chief, who had until now remained silent. “But whatever happens, we need to talk to the passengers and we need to do it fast. If we don’t show some leadership, let them know we’re still here running this boat, we’re going to have riots on our hands before long.”
    “We’ve already had riots breaking out, everyone thought the world was about to end,” Hollen said.
    “No, Max is right, things are already starting to get heated out there,” a voice said from the doorway.
    “Lucya!” Jake felt a wave of relief wash over him. As she joined the others at the table, he caught sight of her hand. “What happened? Are you ok?”
    “It’s fine, a bit painful, but I’ll live.”
    “Two of my nurses are getting medical back into working order. It is not easy without electricity, but we have a lot of wounded to treat. I suggest you get yourself down there as soon as we are done here.” Lister nodded at the radio officer.
    “There are others who need help more than me,” Lucya said.
    “This is true, but we need you more than we need some others. Get yourself a patch on that, it won’t take long.”
    “Have you seen the captain, Lucya?” Hollen asked?
    “No.”
    “Make an announcement Johnny, let the passengers know we’re in control. We can’t wait around for Isben to turn up and do it. We don’t even know if he’s still alive.” Max looked serious.
    “Okay,” Hollen banged both his palms on the table, brought the focus back to himself. Jake, you and I need to get out there and try and find the captain. You take decks six to thirteen, I’ll check his quarters and the lower decks. I can’t call for him over the PA, it won’t look good to the passengers that we’ve lost him. Lucya, get your hand sorted and then come back here, get on the radios and see if you can find out what’s happening out there. We don’t know what damage that asteroid did between the satellite feed going off and now. The situation might not be as bad as we think. Martin, you can get power to the comms console, right?”
    Martin nodded.
    “Great. Do it, then help Jake look for the captain. Grau, you need to get back to medical and do what you can for the wounded. Max, we’ve still got fires burning on the main pool deck, probably up on deck thirteen too, that ash burnt right through the roof. Get some of the crew together if you can, organise putting those fires out and getting this ship safe. If you can’t find crew, use passengers. Some of them are already out there doing the job. Silvia, you and your team are our public face. You need to reassure the passengers that we know what we’re doing here. Brief as many of your people as you can, tell them everything is under control, and get that message out as far and as fast as possible. The longer we can keep everyone calm the better. We’ll all meet back here in an hour, hopefully with the captain, and we’ll take it from there.” Hollen looked around at his tiny crew. “Well come on then, get to it!”
    Lucya helped Grau up from his chair, placed his arm around her shoulder, and supported him as he hobbled off. Everyone else headed for the door. Once they’d gone, Hollen returned to his position at the front of the bridge, picked up a